The rain was beating down on the windows of the black limousine, inside which sat Tai and his parents. The limo arrived at the cemetery, and they all got out. Grandma Kamiya lay stiffly in her coffin, as it was lowered into the ground. All of a sudden, the graveyard was filled with a ringing sound. Mrs. Kamiya pulled out her mobile phone from her pocket.

"Why didn't you turn that off?" hissed her husband.

"The police could call about Kari!" she replied.

"Can't it wait until after the funeral?"

"No! This is our daughter we're talking about. I have to leave, now," Mrs. Kamiya answered.

"Alright, fine. Go and leave. But don't bother coming back! Ever!" yelled Mr. Kamiya.

It was three months since Kari disappeared, and the case was officially running cold. The Kamiya family – or what was left of it – were sitting in a courtroom. Today, their future was to be decided. And so, the judge spoke, "Mrs. Kamiya," his stern voice proclaimed, "You are lawfully in custody of your son Tai Kamiya." Tai's mom shot a smile at her son, who was sitting a few seats away.

"Mr. Kamiya," the judge continued, "You will be able to visit Taichi during the weekends if you would like to but have to pay 1,000 dollars a month for child support until Taichi Is 18"

"What?" shouted Mr. Kamiya, "I… I can't live with my son! You can't be serious… he… Tai needs a Father!"

"Mr. Kamiya, if you disagree, you can continue shouting in jail. This is a courtroom, and it will stay orderly!"

Friends and relatives of the Kamiya family were piling out of the court room, and closer to their cars to get home, none of them too thrilled to have to face Mr. or Mrs. Kamiya. Mr. Kamiya furiously turned towards his ex-wife

"Are you happy now?" he yelled, "It was your irresponsibility that got Kari kidnapped! What type of wife are you?!"

"The one with a child," Mrs. Kamiya replied dryly

The day came. That day that would completely break the Kamiya family into several different pieces, the last day when Mr. Kamiya could see his son, the last day Tai could see his father.

"I believe I have the right to talk to my son now," Mr. Kamiya offered Tai a smile, trying to stay strong and not break down in tears… for his son…

"Tai, you can't leave!" yelled Tai's dad after a long, awkward silence between them. "No! Tai, please, you can't go with your mother! You have to stay with me, son! PLEASE?!"

"Dad, you know that I have to go with mom, whether you like it or not, whether I like it or not and whether anyone else likes it or not. She… needs me."
"No! Son, I can't lose you. Please, we can arrange it like… like you are kidnapped like Kari but you really won't be, and you will stay here and once your mother is gone somewhere, you and me can all live as a happy family again."

"No, dad, I can't. I'm sorry. I love you. But I can't," replied the now 9-year-old child

"Please, Tai. Please…" Mr. Kamiya began to cry.

"Dad, I told you, no. I'll visit – a lot. I'll write, send you emails…"

"So you are saying you like your mother better than me?"

"You can't ask me that kind of question…" Tai felt uncomfortable. He pushed himself deeper against the wall.

"Ok. Ok, you don't have to stay. But remember, you leave now, you ain't ever coming back. You're not welcome in my house anymore, Tai." Mr. Kamiya wiped off his shower of tears away from his face and left the room.

And so, the day has come and gone…